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King  Penguin chicks at Volunteer Point

Falklands Quest

Example 15 Day Tour
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Penguins, seals, and albatross, oh my! The remote Falkland Islands are home to a veritable menagerie of wildlife, and you'll be able to view them easily, uninhibited by viewing platforms, hundreds of jostling people, or swaths of concrete. Your days are spent exploring the white sandy beaches and rolling grasslands, or visiting the small communities, historic sites, and local farms. You'll spend your evenings in cozy farmhouses-turned-guest lodges, mingling with the locals and eating delectable home-cooked meals.
Road to north side of West Point Island Bull elephant seal on Sea Lion Island, Falkland IslandsLADY ELIZABETH Black Browed Albatross courtship behaviour - Saunders IslandYou may have a chance to see King penguin chicks on your Falkland Islands tourSee bird life - such as the albatross - up close on your Falkland Islands tourWatch an elephant seal snooze on a sunny beach on your Falkland Islands tourSee rockhopper penguins up close on a Falkland Islands tourShipwrecked anchor of Norwegian steamer, GUVERNOREN, ex IMOKing  Penguin chicks at Volunteer Point
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1-2: Arrive Falkland Islands

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners
Arrive Mount Pleasant Airport early afternoon, transfer by private vehicle to Malvina House Hotel.

For the rest of today and Day 2, enjoy exploring Darwin and the surrounding area. Visit the cemeteries and battlefields from the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina, walk on the world's southernmost suspension bridge, learn about the area's long history of sheep farming, and begin your life wildlife watching by looking for night herons, ruddy-headed geese, and blackish oystercatchers. 

Day 3-4: Pebble Island

  • Hotel
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
After breakfast, transfer by Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) 8-seater Britten Norman Islander aircraft to Pebble Island, where you'll spend the next two days. The relatively low-level flying provides passengers with exceptional views of the Falklands' coastlines and inland scenery.

Pebble Island is one of the larger outlying islands of the archipelago, and the landscape varies greatly from large ponds and moorland to long sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. The deep ponds on the east of the island, many of which are within walking distance of the lodge, are home to Chiloe wigeon, Grebes, Black-necked swans and a multitude of other wildfowl and wading birds. The half and full day guided tours in 4x4 vehicle offer ample opportunity to see the abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery further afield from the settlement, as well as to hunt for the semiprecious stones that give the island its name. Pebble Island also has interest for historians, with some 1982 conflict debris and several memorials.

In the evenings, relax in the comfortable lodge, previously the farm manager's house, which offers views across the island to Elephant Beach.

Day 5-6: Saunders Island

  • Hotel
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Morning transfer by FIGAS to Saunders Island, and then overland to The Rookery.

This 30,000-acre island is still an active sheep farm and is important historically for being the site of the first British settlement in 1765. However, the attraction to the wildlife enthusiast is undoubtedly the Black-browed albatross colony, which stretches along the north coast to the narrow sandy isthmus known as The Neck. This is unquestionably one of the Falklands’ best wildlife sites with King and Rock shags, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Magellanic, King and—if you’re lucky—a few Macaroni penguins to be seen as well as the albatross.

Stay at the fully equipped but isolated self-catering style accommodation. Pre-prepared meals are provided . 

Day 7-9: Carcass Island

  • Hotel
  • 2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Morning transfer by FIGAS to Carcass Island.

Enjoy two days on one of the most picturesque of the outer-lying islands, with its luxuriant, well-established hedges and trees attracting many small birds such as the Cobb’s wren, Black-chinned siskins and Falklands thrush to nest around the two cottages that accommodate visitors. The sandy beaches, rolling hills and low cliffs are superb platforms from which to view the multitude of sea and shore birds that either breed or feed on and around Carcass Island. This destination gives you the opportunity to explore completely at your own leisure, as there are no fixed excursions on this small island.

Your accommodation will be in the Manager’s House, which will give you a wonderful opportunity to mingle with true Falkland Islanders and sample their organic vegetables, meat, and dairy products.

You will also be able to enjoy the settlement gardens which have an almost a tropical feel with their Monterey cypress trees, New Zealand cabbage palms and flax and colorful array of flowers.

Day 10-11: Sea Lion Island

  • Hotel
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Morning transfer by FIGAS to wildlife-rich Sea Lion Island.

Sea Lion Island is the most southerly inhabited island and one of the smallest in the Falklands archipelago, but it is still a prime destination due to the sheer abundance of wildlife found in such a small area.

Upon arrival, a 2-hour orientation tour by vehicle will acquaint you with the principle areas of interest. During the rest of your time on the island, you’ll be able to explore on foot, as most of the sites are within walking distance of the lodge.

Forty-seven different species of breeding birds make their home on Sea Lion Island, including the internationally-endangered Striated caracara, Antarctic skuas, Southern giant petrels, and a host of passerines. But birds aren’t the only wildlife here! Southern sea lions play in the waters around East Loafers, and the Elephant seals bask on the white sandy beach at the appropriately named Elephant Corner. The latter are close enough to be seen from the lodge bar! If you keep your eyes open, you may be fortunate enough to see a killer whale off shore as well.

Your two nights on the island will be spent at Sea Lion Lodge.

Day 12: Stanley, East Falkland

Morning transfer by FIGAS to Stanley on East Falkland.

Following arrival at Stanley Airport and prior to your arrival at your hotel, a city tour will take in both the historic and most modern parts of this small and remote capital city, as well as a visit to the museum and the Magellanic penguin colony at Gypsy Cove.

Day 13: Explore Stanley

Today, you have two options to choose from to explore Stanley.

Option One
A full-day guided battlefield will take you around some of the Stanley Mountains such as Tumbledown, Two Sisters, Mt. Harriet, Sappers Hill – some of the places that became household names during the 74 day conflict in 1982 between Argentina and England over the sovereignty of the Falklands. Experienced guides will really bring these events to life.

Option Two
A full-day guided excursion in 4x4 vehicle to Volunteer Point will be a highlight of this trip. With the white sandy beach and turquoise waters this destination has a Caribbeanesque feel to it, but the King and Gentoo penguins will bring you back to the Falklands. There is a host of other wildlife to be seen along the beach and on the lagoons, as well as spectacular scenery as you traverse the north of East Falkland.

Day 14: Free day Stanley

Spend another free day to explore Stanley.

Day 15: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
This afternoon, transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport by private vehicle. Your route will take you past many of the 1982 battlefields, and, more historically, relics from the gaucho era of the 1800s. Return to Chile and continue home or on to further South American adventures.

Accommodations

The Manager's House

Set in a beautiful setting
On the small island of Carcass Island
Accommodations are on the Islands farm

Pebble Lodge

Aerial view of Pebble Lodge on Pebble Island
Comfortable common areas
Attractive Falkland Pebbles (which gives the island its name)

Sea Lion Lodge

Sea Lion Lodge
Sea Lion Lodge
Sea Lion Lodge

Rookery Cabin Saunders Island

Shared kitchen/living spaces
Two twin rooms
View from the Rookery Inn

Malvina House Hotel

Malvina House Hotel
Malvina House Hotel
Malvina House Hotel

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,201

Notes

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Rates based on current exchange rate GBP/US dollars.

Travelers can also fly from Punta Arenas, Chile, or from Rio Gallegos, Argentina, to get to the Falkland Islands.

Rates may vary based on current exchange rate.

Included
  • 13 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners
  • 14 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Internal Flights in the Falklands
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • All guests traveling to Falkland Island must take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance with a minimum value of USD 2,000,000 for medical evacuation. 
  • Arrival Transfer
  • Departure Transfer
  • Airport Departure Tax

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
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